Apple Watch V Android Wear – Design
To be sure, Apple Watch is aiming for the luxury end of the smartwatch market with its smartwatch, although with a choice of three models across two sizes and with dozens of straps, quite how high-end you want to go on the basis of your budget.
There’s the aluminium Watch Sport, the stainless steel Watch, and the 18k carat gold Watch Edition, though the basic design is the same in each case — Apple’s design team has spent a lot of time crafting every individual component to perfection.
The choice of straps lets you tailor the look of your watch even further. Classic link bracelet, rubber sport band, leather loop, classic buckle, modern buckle, Milanese loop – the decision is yours. Third-party strap makers including designer names such as Hermès are adding their own designs to the mix too.
Whichever configuration you go for, this isn’t a watch you’ll be embarrassed to show off. The digital crown on the side of the device is a nice touch too, allowing you to scroll and zoom without having to obscure the screen.
As we’ve said, there are several different devices to consider on the Android Wear side. While the first Android Wear watches were rather chunky and appealing, whereas newer arrivals like the Huawei Watch and the Moto 360 (2015) suggest manufacturers are now taking more care over the design process.
The Tag Heuer Connected, an Android Wear contender, is by far the most stylish and well-built smartwatch to date.
Also, there’s the decision about whether you want a rectangular or a circular face, a choice you don’t get with the Apple Watch. The Moto 360 2 and many other Android Wear-powered timepieces such as the Watch Urbane have opted for a circular display, and Google’s software can run perfectly well on both screen shapes, give or take a tiny bit of cut off text.
Configuration options vary depending on the Android Wear watch you’ve gone for – Motorola has a number of official options for the Moto 360, for instance, which now includes a smaller size display and lugs plus lots of customisation of details via Moto Maker – but these devices typically offer more support for replacement straps than the Apple Watch does.
Both the Apple Watch and Android Wear devices give you the option to pick a wearable design that works for you, however it’s the Google-powered watches that offer most in the way of customisation and overall appearance options. At present, with the ZenWatch 2, Huawei Watch and Moto 360 2 and 360 Sport, there actually is an Android Wear watch for everyone. With the Apple Watch, the look and feel can depend quite a lot on the style you go for but with that comes extra costs.
